Date & Time:
Jun 10, 1993 at 1727 LT
Type of aircraft:
Cessna 421B Golden Eagle II
Operator:
Five Star Aviation
Registration:
N699DT
Flight Phase:
Takeoff (climb)
Flight Type:
Executive/Corporate/Business
Survivors:
Yes
Schedule:
Gadsden - Huntsville
MSN:
421B-0540
YOM:
1973
Country:
United States of America
Region:
North America
Crew on board:
1
Crew fatalities:
0
Pax on board:
0
Pax fatalities:
0
Other fatalities:
0
Total fatalities:
0
Captain / Total hours on type:
300
Aircraft flight hours:
4430
Circumstances:
The airline transport pilot reported that shortly after takeoff from runway 36, he heard a loud noise from the left engine area, and observed smoke trailing the left engine nacelle. He confirmed that the left engine was losing power, and he feathered the left propeller. He was unable to maintain altitude, and the aircraft was force landed on wooded terrain. The aircraft caught fire on the ground after colliding with trees and was destroyed. An inspection of the left engine turbocharger revealed that the rotor shaft was seized, with evidence of metal transfer to the bearing journals.
Probable cause:
The failure of the left engine turbocharger due to rotor shaft seizure, which resulted in a loss of engine power.
